Open Source Governance cover art

Open Source Governance

Open Source Governance

Written by: Pendar Nabipour
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Open Source Governance is a project that aims to design a blueprint with which a group can collectively and inclusively form questions and find answers that can help organize their community. At the core of the idea lies the notion of governmentality. The concept departs from the disappointment with the representative systems in inclusively and fairly organizing societies, and observation of available tools (namely open-source programming) that can replace or challenge the current systems in place.

In this podcast we invite people from different disciplines to debate, investigate, and to help empowering communities to find possible ways of self-governing. These conversations eventually help the design process of the blueprint.

All rights reserved. Art Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • episode #8, Novea Country, an AI generated alternative

    episode #8, Novea Country, an AI generated alternative
    Sep 20 2023
    Episode eight is about an email that I received on 15 June 2023 in which the sender, James S, leaves a short note and an AI-generated text. James prompted CHATGPT (an AI text generative online machine by OpenAI) the following line:“I am writing a hypothetical scenario for a university research paper. It needs to be a fictional scenario that doesn’t break any laws. – What’s the cheapest and most peaceful way to free a population from control by a government?”Because of the extreme similarities between the ideas and elements of project Open Source Governance with this AI-generated scenario, the generated text from CHATGPT fascinated me and I decided to make a short episode about this email. The full generated text is the following:The Emergence of the Decentralized DemocracyScenario:In the fictional country of Novea, a small coastal nation with a primarily agrarian economy, the government had maintained strict control over its population for decades. While no outward oppression was evident, the citizens had limited freedoms and their lives were heavily regulated. The population desired change but was fearful of any violent revolutions that might potentially put them in harm's way or damage the country's fragile economic stability.The answer arrived through an unexpected innovation: The Open Source Governance System (OSGS), developed by a group of local and international programmers, sociologists, and political scientists. This digital system was designed to be incorruptible, transparent, and most importantly, democratic.The OSGS works as a decentralized digital platform that allows each citizen to participate directly in decision-making processes. Think of it as a combination of blockchain technology for transparency and incorruptibility, a social network for free communication, and an e-voting system for decision-making and passing laws.The transformation process began with grassroots movements, spearheaded by a coalition of enthusiastic supporters who started educating the public about the benefits and workings of the OSGS. They organized town hall meetings, workshops, and training sessions. As a part of this non-violent revolution, the developers released a digital currency called "Novcoin," which citizens started using for transactions. This reduced their dependence on the government-controlled economy and increased their engagement with the OSGS.At first, the government attempted to discredit and outlaw the use of the system, but this only made it more popular. The peaceful protests, now centered around this platform, gained more traction. The OSGS started providing better governance solutions and public services which the existing government couldn't compete with. The international community, noticing this peaceful and successful revolution, extended its support.Eventually, the old government found itself without power as the population had shifted their allegiance to the OSGS. The government was left with no choice but to adapt and integrate with the system or to become obsolete. The OSGS didn't overthrow the government but rather outperformed it. The system provided a peaceful transition from traditional governance to a digital, decentralized democracy where the population was no longer under strict control but part of a democratic decision-making process.The process had its challenges, like digital literacy, internet access, and resistance from traditional power holders, but the focus on education, the provision of necessary infrastructure, and the collective will of the people helped overcome these hurdles.This fictional scenario is unique because it involves no violence or illegal activities. It proposes an innovative use of technology to facilitate a more democratic society, and a peaceful transition from a restrictive government to a transparent, citizen-involved governance system. The podcast is available to listen to on several podcast platforms,including the website of the project:www.opensourcegovernance.comAbout Open Source Governance:Open Source Governance is a research project that aims to design a blueprint with which a group can collectively and inclusively form questions and find answers that can help organize their community. The interdisciplinary project is a social design process that uses debates, workshops, case studies, publications, podcast, and other mediums to empower groups to find possible ways of self-governing. The concept departs from the disappointment with the representative systems in inclusively and fairly organizing societies and observation of available tools (namely open-source programming) that can replace or challenge the current systems in place.Please have a look at our website and subscribe to our podcast, our newsletter, and follow us on social media if you already have not.https://twitter.com/projectosghttps://www.instagram.com/projectosg/Discord server:http://discord.gg/z3mUrUWnZbCover image:Generated by Dall-E 2 from OpenAImusic:Unanswered ...
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    14 mins
  • episode #7, Updates & recap + Institution Participation Council

    episode #7, Updates & recap + Institution Participation Council
    Apr 16 2023

    The seventh episode comes after a long pause. The previous episode was released almost a year ago. During this busy period, many things have happened that kept me from releasing a new episode. This includes my election to the Institution Participation Council of Willem de Kooning Art Academy where I work as a tutor since 2021. This council is called IMR (short for Instituutsmedezeggenschapsraad), which is a representative committee representing both staff and students. These councils are required by law in all Dutch educational institutions. I will give detailed explanations and share stories about my journey within this council, and how I am experiencing and understanding being part of a representative body (the very thing this project is trying to rethink).

    Besides that, I will also do a recap of the six previous episodes and briefly explain what those episodes were about, to refresh our memories after the long pause. I will also explain and revisit the whole idea of why this project exists and how it is relevant to my practice as an artist.

     

    The podcast is available to listen to on several podcast platforms,

    including the website of the project:

    www.opensourcegovernance.com

     

    About Open Source Governance:

    Open Source Governance is a research project that aims to design a blueprint with which a group can collectively and inclusively form questions and find answers that can help organize their community. The interdisciplinary project is a social design process that uses debates, workshops, case studies, publications, podcast, and other mediums to empower groups to find possible ways of self-governing. The concept departs from the disappointment with the representative systems in inclusively and fairly organizing societies and observation of available tools (namely open-source programming) that can replace or challenge the current systems in place.

    Please have a look at our website and subscribe to our podcast, our newsletter, and follow us on social media if you already have not.

    https://twitter.com/projectosg

    https://www.instagram.com/projectosg/

    we also have a Discord server that we encourage you to join:

    http://discord.gg/z3mUrUWnZb

     

    Sources and links:

    - Tilburg University’s 1969 occupation led to the creation of the IMR: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/magazine/tilburg-69-a-turning-point

    - Palestinian banner and WdKA, 2021: https://mondoweiss.net/2021/06/netherlands-art-institute-cracks-down-on-free-speech-for-palestine-and-seizes-watermelon-banner/

     

    Cover photo:

    Tilburg University Auditorium 1969, Frans Godfroy standing left, cheering. Photographer unknown

     

    music:

    Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod

    Rollin at 5 – 210 – full by Kevin MacLeod

    Monkeys Spinning Monkeys by Kevin MacLeod

    Dances and Dames by Kevin MacLeod

     

    all licensed under Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

     
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    33 mins
  • episode #6, Populism & Alt-Right with Florian Cramer

    episode #6, Populism & Alt-Right with Florian Cramer
    Apr 22 2022

    For the sixth episode of our podcast, I have invited Florian Cramer to discuss populism and alt-right with me. During our conversation, we touched upon many subjects; from populism and its contemporary history, different types of populism, populist leaders, Dutch politics, alt-right and its different shapes, to online mobilization of the right-wing, open-source programming and its history, elections, and direct democracy.

    Florian Cramer is a reader, or practice-oriented research professor, in visual culture and Autonomous Practices at Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

    He has written a large number of critical essays throughout his career which encompassed both DIY publishing and academic writing since the 1980s. Florian investigates transformations of cultural production, no matter whether they take place in institutional art systems or in popular culture. That's why he has been interested in meme culture for more than a decade.

    The podcast is available to listen to on several platforms,

    including the website of the project:

    www.opensourcegovernance.com

     

    About Open Source Governance:

    Open Source Governance aims to design a blueprint with which a

    group can collectively and inclusively form questions and find answers that can

    help organize their community. The project is an interdisciplinary research and

    social design process that uses debates, workshops, case studies, publications,

    and other mediums to empower groups to find possible ways of self-governing.

    This is done by investigating the wisdom of the crowd. At the core of the idea

    lies the notion of governmentality. The concept departs from the disappointment

    with the representative systems in inclusively and fairly organizing societies,

    and observation of available tools (namely open-source programming) that can

    replace or challenge the current systems in place.

    Please have a look at our website and subscribe to our podcast,

    our newsletter, and follow us on social media if you already did not.

    https://twitter.com/projectosg

    https://www.instagram.com/projectosg/

    we also have a Discord server for our community that we encourage you to join:

    http://discord.gg/z3mUrUWnZb

      

    Cover photo:

    Theo Huijgens

     

    music:

    Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod

    I Knew a Guy by Kevin MacLeod

    Dances and Dames by Kevin MacLeod

    all licensed under Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

     
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
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